Uganda Boxing Federation is in a dilemma after being told it can only have eight fighters at the forthcoming All Africa Games.
A total of 25 boxers have for the past two months been having a residential camp for the August 19 to 31 games in Rabat.
“We had planned for full teams of 10 boxers each for both the men and women’s teams but we are being told we can only have eight boxers. We are in a dilemma,” explained UBF president Moses Muhangi, adding that their request to fund the other boxers has also not been accepted.
“This has left us in a difficult position. How do you tell someone who has been preparing for 60 days and has even won trials that they won’t make the trip?”
Muhangi said his executives will meet the coaches’ commission on Friday to determine which eight fighters will make the trip.
Sources in the games’ organizing committee revealed that inadequate funding has resulted in the trimming of the contingent. The source said Uganda will be represented by 105 sportsmen.
UBF at the weekend held the Rabat trials at Kira Road Police playground.
The day’s winners that will now constitute the group from which the team will be chosen had: John Katongole (Flyweight), Issac Masembe (bantam), Champion Busingye, David Semujju and Joshua Tukamuhebwa (lightweight), Shaban Daku (l/welter), Joshua Male (L/heavy), Emmanuel Kyambadde (heavy), Solomon Geko(S/heavy).
Women: Sarah Nantongo and Vivian Apio (flyweight), Jalia Nali (bantam), Maureen Ajambo and Susan Akello (l/weight) Rebecca Among (L/welter), Hellen Baleke (middle).
The forthcoming games, formally known as the All Africa Games or the Pan African Games, are a continental multi-sport event held every four years. They are organized
by the African Union (AU) with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC).
–newvision.co.ug
